When written in Chinese the word "crisis" is composed of two characters - one represents danger and the other represents opportunity. ~John F. Kennedy, address, 12 April 1959
This past week I had the opportunity to attend a Leadership Summit here at Miami. In this forum I was able to network and learn current and new best practices for helping individuals achieve their maximum potential when embarking in any leadership role. And when I say leadership role, this is applicable to any of the things we do, in our family, community, work, friends, etc. Leadership is not limited to our work practices, it is more than that. It is the power of empowering others such as friends, family, peers, coworkers, and even estrange people, to act and do something in a positive way that will make an impact… a difference. That is my personal definition of leadership in general.
Anyway…During that summit I got inspired by other leaders and gurus in the field to write today’s blog entry. In fact, one of the speakers Dr. Leonard A. Schlesinger, talked about “Action Trumps Everything: Creating what you want in an uncertain world” and in combination with his message and book’s ideas; this blog entry talks about Opportunity and Destiny when we are motivated to act, take action, and size-up our moments to continue learning and growing.
So let’s talk first about...Why to act and take action?
Taken from Action Trumps Everything: Creating What You Want in an Uncertain World, by Charles F. Keifer and Leonard A. Schlesinger.
1. If we act, we will find out what works…
2. And what doesn’t.
3. If we never act, we will never know if we are right or wrong.
4. If we act, we will find out if we like it…
5. Or we don’t.
6. Acting leads to market reaction, which could take us in another direction.
7. As we act, we can find people to along with us.
8. As we act, we can find ways to do things faster, cheaper, better.
9. If we act, we won’t spend the rest of our life going “I wonder what would have happened if…”
10. If all we do is think, we are less interesting as a person.
11. If all we do is think about stuff, we gain tons of theoretical knowledge, but non from the real world.
12. … All we do is think.
13. Action always leads to evidence.
14. If we act, we know what is real.
15. Talking to people is action... at zero cost.
16. It seems the cost of doing more thought, before you pull the trigger, is zero.
Now What?
With this in mind, let’s explore ideas and recommendations to size-up opportunities and take control of our destiny:
1. Act Now… “I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on men unless they act.”
2. Wheel of Fortune… Risks are part of life, and we’re at the mercy of one every time we start a new job or a new relationship, go on a journey or even on vacation. Don’t be so risk-averse that you end up impoverishing your experiences, restricting yourself to comfortable mediocrity. Asses the risks as they take shape in your mind, then decide which ones to accept. – Disappointments are preferable to regrets.
3. Embracing emptiness… When we contemplate the future, its lack of known features is often the thing that makes us apprehensive. Never think of the future as a desert: it’s a garden in bloom that you haven’t seen yet.
4. Setting Sail…“we do not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time”
5. The Incredible Journey… We can’t ask to be reborn as someone different, so we must all act within the parameters of our personality and life-situations to some extent. Even so, there are countless opportunities to make choices and modify our fata in creative ways – even to change the way we think. Visualize yourself as a creative artist, working with the raw materials of a life.
6. Shared your Pathways… Our destiny is the path we pursue with passion. For some it may be a special excellence, achievable only by nurturing a skill. Others may choose a more universal experience, such a homemaking. Avoid the common pitfall of believing that unusual ambitions are worth more than those we share. To devote one’s life to living well is the worthiest of endeavors.
7. As On Door Closes… Don’t waste times dwelling on what might have happened if you’re taken a different path through life. You’ll never know. You do, one the other hand, have the chance to find out what will happen today if you keep moving forward, choosing each new directions with care and positive attitude.
8. Fishing… “Change is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish.
9. Perfect Partners… “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”
10. Action Time… Be honest with yourself on the subject of when you’ve talked enough about your ideas and dreams, and when it’s time to put your planning into action.
Adpated from 1,001 Ways to Live in the Moment – by Barbara Anna Kipfer
Action Item: From these recommendations, What’s your Key Insight…
Miracle Questions:
• What can we do NOW to empower ourselves more when opportunities knock our door?
• What can we do differently to be more driven and proactive?
Enjoy!
